A Georgian citizen drowned yesterday in Lake Ohrid, near Peštani, the Ohrid Police Department announced today.

The Ohrid Police Department received a report at 14:32 yesterday that a man had been pulled from the water near Peštani. An emergency medical team attempted to resuscitate him, but pronounced him dead shortly afterward.

According to the information released, no visible injuries were found on the victim’s body.

Initial investigative procedures identified the victim as B.D., a 46-year-old Georgian citizen. Following an examination, the body was sent for an autopsy on the orders of the public prosecutor.

Meanwhile, the Ohrid State Police received another report at 5:45 this morning, this time concerning the disappearance of a 15-year-old girl from Ohrid.

The disappearance was reported by her 57-year-old father, N.J., who said that his underage daughter, K.J., had left their home at around 16:00 yesterday. The Ohrid State Police said measures were being taken to locate her.

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Recognition as part of UNESCO World Heritage plays an important role in the international promotion of Ohrid and Struga. According to university professor Sasho Korunovski, the two cities are globally known for the combination of the lake, nature, history and Ohrid’s old town. He emphasizes that UNESCO status adds prestige and credibility to the destination, while for foreign tourists this status represents an important brand.

“Ohrid deserves much more than what we are giving it today, because the claim that Ohrid does not attract tourists because of its cultural and natural heritage is completely wrong. On the contrary, Ohrid is a top destination precisely because of its cultural and natural heritage, primarily for foreign tourists but also for domestic tourists,” said Sasho Korunovski, a university professor.

The Mayor of the Municipality of Ohrid, Kirill Pecakov, assesses that progress has been made in meeting UNESCO’s conditions and preserving the region’s status.

“There has been movement, and this progress has also been noted in the report itself. When we talk about the report, what is important is that on many points issues that were previously considered insignificant are now assessed at a very high level in the work between Macedonia and Albania. They are requesting the establishment of a working body that will operate, submit reports, and oversee the measures and recommendations,” stressed Kiril Pecakov, Mayor of the Municipality of Ohrid.

At the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Busan, South Korea, UNESCO decided not to include the Ohrid region on the List of World Heritage in Danger. According to reports on the July 2026 decision, North Macedonia has been given until 2030 to implement the required measures. The next progress report is expected to be submitted in early February 2027./TV21/

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Albania and North Macedonia will have another five years to implement the measures required to protect the Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region. With this decision, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has, for the time being, avoided placing the area on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

However, UNESCO stresses that the deterioration of the region’s outstanding universal values is continuing and has not been halted.

The World Heritage Committee made the decision at its 48th session, after reviewing the report on the state of conservation of the Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region.

Engineer and environmentalist Arian Merolli believes the enthusiasm shown by the deputy prime minister during the World Heritage Committee’s online meeting, after the Ohrid Region was not included on the List of World Heritage in Danger, was misplaced.

Merolli said: “The deputy prime minister was very pleased that the Ohrid Region was not placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. This surprised me, because it would have been better if it had been placed on that list. This would have increased pressure from UNESCO and international institutions on the government to take concrete measures to protect the region.”

He warns that, without political will, the five-year period set by UNESCO could end without results.

“Five years from now, this government may no longer be in power and could say: ‘It doesn’t matter; it’s no longer our responsibility.’ That is why they are not concerned that a five-year deadline was granted. My concern is whether they know what they need to do during these five years. I believe they do not,” Merolli continued.

According to engineer Arian Merolli, the strategy prepared at UNESCO’s request for the management and revitalization of Lake Ohrid should be supplemented by a detailed implementation plan setting out deadlines and budgets. He noted that North Macedonia has made more progress in this process, as it has approved the strategy at a government meeting and established an interinstitutional group to oversee its implementation. In this regard, Albania continues to lag behind.

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The Mayor of Ohrid, Kiril Pecakov, welcomed the decision of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, which not only avoided the inclusion of the Ohrid Region on the List of World Heritage in Danger, but also granted an extension of the deadline until February 1, 2031 for the implementation of the recommendations.

According to him, this result is the fruit of close cooperation between local and central authorities, relevant institutions, and all involved parties. Pecakov described the decision as a precious opportunity that also carries profound responsibility.

The mayor assured that going forward there will be an intensification of efforts to implement protective measures for the cultural and natural heritage. Among the main goals, he singled out the fulfillment of major ecological projects, more rigorous urban planning, strengthening of mechanisms for environmental protection, and the full implementation of UNESCO’s guidelines.

Pecakov emphasized that preserving the Ohrid Region is a task that falls to everyone: local and central governance, institutions, and the citizens themselves. He expressed optimism that with excellent coordination, unwavering commitment, and partnership with the Republic of Albania, all necessary steps will be taken for the sustainable protection of this world natural and cultural treasure.

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The Ohrid Region will not be included on the World Heritage in Danger list, following a resolution by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee. This decision keeps the area registered as a cultural and natural property of universal significance, giving the state the opportunity to improve conservation standards.

The decision comes with an additional five-year deadline, during which the full implementation of directives for the protection of the area’s natural and cultural heritage is expected.

On behalf of the state, Ambassador Igor Nikolov, who led the delegation at this forum, assured that there is full commitment to follow the guidelines and to guarantee the integrity of the outstanding values of the Ohrid Region.

Nikolov described the resolution as a sign of trust in the efforts made so far, but also as a call for further concrete actions. He mentioned as priorities the strengthening of institutional mechanisms, addressing the issue of illegal constructions, and measures for the conservation and restoration of Studenchishte Marsh. Another important aspect, he stressed, remains the coordination of actions with Albania for the management of this transboundary property.

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As a result of the collision, L.J. sustained serious bodily injuries, confirmed at St. Erasmus Hospital in Ohrid. Meanwhile, G.P. and his passenger S.P. (57), also from Ohrid, suffered bodily injuries.

The Ministry of Interior said that, following measures taken, it was established that L.J. had 1.80 per mille of alcohol in his blood. By order of the public prosecutor, his vehicle was seized, while police teams carried out an inspection of the scene. After the case is fully documented, an appropriate criminal complaint was filed against L.J. A criminal charge will be brought, the Ministry of Interior said.

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The news was announced by the Ohrid Police Department following a working meeting with North Macedonia’s Ministry of the Interior and police representatives from the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Serbia.

The statement stresses that the mixed patrols are intended to increase security for both citizens and Serbian tourists, who spend their annual holidays in Ohrid in large numbers. According to the announcement, during these patrols, Serbian police officers will apply the national legislation of the Republic of Macedonia, will not be armed, and will provide support to Macedonian police officers. Also, ahead of the official start of their duties tomorrow, they were briefed on the provisions of Macedonian laws on internal affairs and the police.

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